Piqué: 'It was the hardest game to play'

In the mixed zone after the behind-closed-doors match between Barça and Las Palmas at the Camp Nou, Gerard Piqué condemned the actions carried out in Catalonia to prevent the exercise of democratic rights. "It was the hardest game to play. The Board tried to suspend the match, but it wasn’t possible. We debated it and the Club decided we should play.”

The central defender also expressed sadness at the images beamed worldwide. "It has been a tough day, the images of the Police and the Guardia Civil speak for themselves. I am and I feel Catalan, today more than ever. I am proud of the behaviour of the people of Catalonia. Voting is a right that must be defended."

Piqué noted that he will leave the national team if his views cause a problem. "I think I can continue because there are many people in Spain who disagree with what happened today and believe in democracy. But if the Board really thinks I'm a problem, I will take a step back and leave the national team before 2018," he said.